Method of and device for stimulating blood circulation in causing expulsion of retained residual glandular products



2,957,474 LATIDN OGL 25, 1960 u. c. BA1-Es r-:rAL

METHOD oF AND DEVICE FDR STIMULATING BLooD crRcU IN cAUsING EXPULSION 0F RETAINED RESIDUAL GLANDULAR PRODUCTS Original Filed March l5. 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 K/v 0 o U. c. BATES ETAL Oct. 25, 1960 oms OAT

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'rIoN METHOD oF AND DEVIC E -FOR STIMULATING BLOOD CIRCULA IN CAUSING EXPULSION 0F RETAINED RESIDUAL GLANDULAR PRODUCTS 1950 4 sneets-sheet s original Filed March l5.

Oct. 25, 1960 u. c. BA1-Es ErAL 2,957,474 AfrroN METHOD OF AND DEVICE FOR STIMULATING BLOOD CIRCUL w NS I AT Tw MD 4 m WP. R WA .IL SU LD. UN VAL EG L MA IU SD UI Aw CR N I 4 Sheets-Sheet v4 Original Filed March 15. .1950

United States Patent METHOD OF DEVICE FOR STIMULATING BLOOD CIRCULATION IN CAUSING EXPUL- SON F RETABED RESIDUAL GLANDULAR PRODUCTS Uri C. Bates, deceased, late of Seattie, Wash., by .lames Wilford Battsand.lis/unesy George Scripps, executors, both of Seattle, Wash., and Frederick '.E. Bigelow, Seattle, Wash., assgnors, by direct and mesne assignments, to G. Wright Arnold, Seattle, Wash.

Continuation of application Ser. No. 149,788, Mar. 15, 1950. rEllis application May 15, 1958, Ser. No. 735,639

18* Claims: (Cl. 12S- 60) Our invention relates to a method of treatment of human body parts, especially glandular, by massaging and manipulating, and vibrating mechanism therefor. More particularly, our discovery and invention relates to the method of, and device for, stimulating blood circulation and glandular functioning of human body parts, including nerveexcitation, whereby normal functioning of said parts or glands in part, at least, results.

This application is acontinuation of application Serial No. 149,788, filed March 15, 1950.

For purposes of deniteness and clearness of description, our invention will be set forth in its application to the prostate gland. This gland of the male genital system is of annular or doughnut shape. The urethra passes through the central. opening. Often in individuals of about forty-live years of age and older the prostate gland becomes enlarged and therefore often obstructs the urethra by constriction due to the swelling. This causes in average cases residual urine at each evacuation. Such enlargement and interference with the urethra causes interruption of its natural functioning and is frequently followed by most serious diseases.

lFor many decades massaging of the prostate gland has been employed by thel medical profession to reduce the swelling by rectifying circulation and causing expulsion of the retained residual glandular products caused by lack of use. This is accomplished, so far as it is accomplished at all, by reaching through the rectum. Manifestly, the physician in massaging with his finger is limited to a very small posterior area of the prostate gland which he can thus reach. Furthermore, often the build of the patient, as in the case of an individual of overweight, positively precludes proper massaging of the gland. Furthermore, this massage treatment to obtain optimum results should be a daily or frequent periodic procedure, and therefore it involves serious interference with daily work routine and at a' continuing expense.

A primary purpose of our invention is the providing of a method of treatment which will reach over an extended area and operate in a gripping manner as respects the gland, all of which would be an impossibility to eiectively accomplish by use of the `finger in cases of enlarged prostate glands. Particularly is it our purpose to contact the central, axial, upper or posterior portion of the gland and impart vibratory movement thereto. ln accomplishing this, it is also our purpose to contact the peripheral portion of the gland with the rectilinear part of the device while the end' portion of the device is drawn into a' hook-like form by bringing to bear the head or tip portion of the device upon the superior and anterior superior, centra'l and posterior area of the rostate whereby an embracing of the gland is. accom plished. Thus when the vibrating movement is imparted to the device, the gland as a whole receives thevibrations throughout the entirel area of the gland, and as the gland is thus embraced, as it were, by the double contacting, it is vibrated or agitated as a whole, and through it the surrounding portions of the body are agitated and thereby circulation generallyv throughout the region Vis stimulated, all of which has been found to-provide for relief promptly and to a degree not heretofore known. Thus, by embracing or gripping the gland as a part of the means, as it were, of transmitting the vibrations, the gland constitutes a larger body and thereby magnies the etfect of the vibrations transmitted so that the vibration is very effective in developing circulation in the region surrounding the gland as well as in the gland itself. Thus the vibrating force of the device of our invention is applied over an extended area as denitely opposed to amere spot contacting of the vibrating force.

A further primary object of our invention is to provide for a vibratory producing means which can be readily manipulated` either by the patient or the physician, and which is of simple and economical construction, light in weight, and free of! being injured by water.

Also, it is an object of our invention to provide a device of the character described which may be operated with or without the use of electric current, so that the use of the device` will be' independent of access to electrical power, and yet of sufficient power to operate for a reasonable period andv also may be manually operated. When electrical power is employed, itis our object to have the device positively insulated against interference by water.

A primary object of our invention is the providing of a device ofthe character described characterized by being substantially rectilinear during linitial stage of application and able to be actuated, as respects its head endportion, to assume a hook or half circle form, bringing the head into spacedV relationr with the supporting portions with a continuous gradual curve on the inside of the hook contour, as said head contacts the superior central area of the prostate.

A further special object of. our invention is the providing of a ilat sided head or tip for the device which accentuates the hook-like character of the end portion of the device in securing contact with the superior, central or axial portionI of the prostate gland.

A further fundamental and primary object of my invention and discovery is to provide such rectilinear operation of the device so that, in the method of the invention and discovery, the rectal canal is not expanded; that is, there is no separation of the walls one from the other, radially, as by ination.

It is to be understood that the device may be used for a definite period daily by the patient under the direction and prescribed instructions of the physician, the device being applied through the rectum.

The above-mentioned general objects of our invention, together with others inherent in the same, are attained by the mechanism illustrated in the following drawings, throughout which like reference lnumerals indicate like parts:

Figure 1 is a View in longitudinalsection of the ilexible member and end portion of our invention-coiled spring;

Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal section of a modified form of said lexible memberspring vulcanized in rubber;

Fig. 3 is a view in longitudinal section of another modiiied form of said flexible member-all rubber;

Fig. 4 is a view in longitudinal section of a further modied form of said flexible member-rubber with groove;

Fig. 5 is a View in longitudinal section of still another modified form of said flexible member-head integral;

Fig. 6 is a cross-section on dotted line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a View in longitudinal section of the preferred form of our invention-flexible shaft operated;

Fig. 8 is a view in cross-section on dotted line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a view in cross-section taken substantially on broken line 9-9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a View in longitudinal section of a modified form of our invention-electric motor operated;

Fig. 11 is a view in cross-section on dotted line 11-11 of Fig. l;

Fig. 12 is a view in longitudinal section of a modified form of our invention-spring operated;

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are views in cross-section on broken lines 13--13, 14-14 and 15#15 respectively of Fig. 12 and on a larger scale than Fig. 12;

Fig. 16 is a detached view partly in section and partly in elevation showing two units of the spring member;

Fig. 17 is a view in longitudinal section of a further modified form of our invention-second form spring operated;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary side elevation looking in the direction of broken line 18-18 of Fig. 17, and showing portions of a housing, a hand hold and a spring winding device;

Figs. 19, 2O and 21 are views `in cross-section, on a larger scale than Fig. 17, taken substantially on broken lines 19-19, 20-20 and 21-21 respectively of Fig. 17;

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary sectional view with parts in elevation showing ratchet devices used in connection with winding means for the spring motor shown in Fig. 17;

Fig. 23 is a detached plan view of a slotted cylindrical pinion carrying member having a pinion journaled therein;

Fig. 24 is Va fragmentary sectional view, on a larger scale than Fig. 17, taken substantially on broken line 24-24 of Fig. 17, and showing centrifugally operated brake means, parts being shown in elevation; and

Fig. 25 is still a further modified form of our invention partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal sectionhand operated.

One of the primary features of our invention is the providing of what is called herein a flexible member. This flexible member may be of varying modified forms, such for example as is set forth in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The present preferred form, identified generally as 40, is shown in Fig. 1 wherein is shown a tubular or mounting housing 41 but may be of any other form cross-sectionally considered. On this mounting housing member 41 is mounted the flexible member 40 which may be formed of the spring 42 having on its other end a head 43 which has a reduced portion or spring mounting collar 43a. Inside of the tubular or mounting housing 41 may be a rod 44, on the end of which is pivotally mounted at 45 a bent or hooked link 46 and which in turn is pivotally connected at 47 to one side of the head 43 thereby making the connection eccentric of the axis of the head (see Fig. 6). Over the head 43 and over the spring 42 and extending over the tubular or mounting housing 41, a soft rubber jacket 48 is provided to protect the lining of the rectum from engagement or injury by the spiral spring, and particularly to provide a sanitary covering which may be discarded after use.

Since the device employs tubular housing 41 without any inflatable member, the method of treatment positively involves maintaining substantially the normal diameter of the rectal canal.

The operation of the spring tends normally to extend the flexible member rectilinearly. By retract-ion of rod 44, the back hooked arm 46 is drawn backwardly and the exible member is caused to assume a semi-circular form with the head 43 directed backwardly as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

The rubber jacket 48 prevents the tissues of the rectum from being engaged between the open portions of the spiral spring members.

Our invention is characterized by one of its features in having the non-symmetrical head 43 of the shape shown 4 in order to accentuate the hook-like form imparted to the spring 42. The inside wall of the head 43 is of sharper curvature than the outside or oppositely disposed Wall 50.

In Fig. 2 the flexible member identified generally as 51 is shown as a modied form. In this form the spring member 52 is vulcanized in the rubber member 53. The rest of the parts shown in Fig. 2 are the same as those shown in Fig. 5 and are similarly numbered.

In Fig. 3 the flexible member identified generally as 55 is shown as a modified form characterized in having the wall S6 on the inside of the curve of dierent thickness than the wall 57 on the outside of the curve, the spring being omitted in this modified form and the rubber being of a formula which gives such degree of stiffness as to make such omission of the spring possible. The functioning of the parts of the flexible member 55 are similar in character to those of Fig. 1.

In Fig. 4 the exible member identified generally as 58 is shown as a modified form, in all respects substantially the same as that of Fig. 3 excepting that the inner wall 5.9 is provided with the groove 60 into which the hooked arm 46 may enter when retracted to bring the flexible member into a semi-circular form.

In Fig. 5 the flexible member identified generally as 61, is shown as a modified form, in which the head 62 is integral with the ex-ible member unit comprising relatively thin inner wall 63 and the relatively thicker outer wall 64. The rest of the parts shown in the modified form of Fig. 5 are substantially the same as those in Fig 1 and are similarly numbered.

The rubber walls 63 and 64 and the head 62 are formed of a formula which gives a suicient degree of stiffness so as to make possible the omission of the spiral spring if desired.

In Fig. 7 the preferred form of our invention is shown provided with a flexible shaft driving means as follows:

On the end of tubular housing member 41 remote from the flexible member 40 is a flange 65 which is secured to a handle housing 66. Rod 44 extends backwardly within housing 66 and is secured to the L arm 67 of rack member 68. The rack member 68 is disposed at one side of the housing 66. Another rack member 69 is positioned at the opposite side of the said housing 66 and has an L-shaped extension 70 thereon. An operating rod 71 is secured to extension 70 and extends outwardly through an end portion of a grip member 72 which is secured to handle housing 66. Disc 73 is secured to the outer end portion of rod 71.

A pinion 74 is positioned between the two rack members 68 and 69 and is rotatively mounted by means of a shaft 75. The shaft 75 is `supported by a plug member 76 which is rigid with the handle housing 66. By grasping the grip member 72 with the fingers and with the disc 73 pressed against the palm of the hand and then closing the hand, the rack 69 is forced forward and causes pinion 74 to rotate thereby forcing backwardly rack 68 which causes a retraction of the rod 44. This, in turn, pulls back on the hook or bent arm 46 which in turn causes the flexible member 40 to assume a semicircular form forcing the head 43 to a position where it points backwardly due to the eccentric mounting of the bent arm 46 in the head. Thus it is manifest that the racks 68 and 69 and pinion 74 provide for a reversal of the direction of movement of the parts involved. The rod 44 is of resilient material and the end portion of said rod 44 adjacent the hooked -arm 46 is supported in an eccentric bearing 77 (see Figs. 7 and 9) in a tubular shaft 78 which is positioned axially of housing member 41. Tubular shaft 78 is supported in concentric bearing 79 in housing 41 as to one end portion. Thus when tubular shaft 78 is rotated it will impart an eccentric and therefore vibratory movement of the end portion of rod 44 adjacent the hooked member 46 about the cornmon axis of housing 41 and tubular shaft 78. On the endportion. of tubular member 78 which is remote from hooked member 46 ismounted a gear pinion 80 (see Fig. 8) which meshes with another gear pinion 81. Gear pinions 80 and 81v are operatively disposed in housing means 82 formed by flange 65 and an end portion of handle housing 66. A lshaft 83 is secured to gear pinion 81 which in turn is driven by ilexible shaft 84. Flexible shaft 84 is connected in the common and well-known manner to any source of power, such as is commonly done with an electric motor 84a. Obviously rotary movement of shaft 83 Will be transmitted through gear pinious 80 and 81 (see Fig. 8) to tubular shaft 78.

To accentuate or amplify the vibrations produced by the eccentric mounting of rod 44 in bearing 77 of rotating tubular shaft 78 an eccentric weight 87 may be provided on rotating tubular shaft 78. The excess mass of weight 87 is on the sameside of the axis. of the tubular shaft 78 as the bearing for the rod 44.

After the flexible member has been bent into a semicircular form and has been -applied to the central posterior and superior portion of the prostate gland it will include the gland between the head 43 and the rectilinear portion of the flexible member, and may be said to thus embrace the gland. Then vibratory movement is cornmunicated to the rod 44` which ink turn transmits the vibrations to the iiexible member and thence to the gland, and also to the portions immediately surrounding the gland. The vibrations set up within the device are communicated` to the head not only through the bent link member 46 but also through the housing 41. This provides for utmost efficiency in employing the vibrations developed. This provides for a magnitude of vibrating the prostate gland in a most eicient and complete manner and so far as known never before accomplished.

In applyingthe head 50 of the flexible member to the superior exterior axial portion of the prostate gland 85 as shown in Fig. 7, upon retracting the flexible member and forming it into a hook-like form, the head 50 will be pressed against the gland 85 causing a slight indentation therein and forcing to one side the urethra 86 and also the bladder 85A. It will be understood all these members of the body are flexible and elastic around the prostate gland so that they can readily be pushed aside in causing the iiexible member tov embrace the prostate gland.

Thus isprovided a simple power operated device easily handled and manipulated by the patient himself Without the annoyance and interruption of other duties incident to special trips to the office of his physician.

In Fig. l we have shown -a modified form of our invention in which the power means for imparting vibrations to the exible member comprises an electro-magnetic means. The flexible member 40 has its bent or hooked arm 46 pivotally connected by pivot 91 to link 90, which link in turn is connected to disc 92, which is of insulating material, rotatably mounted on shaft 93. Disc 92 also has link 94 with pivotal connections which is connected to-rod 95 which is preferably of insulated material, and this rod 95 is connected to rod 96 by pin 97, and rod 96 has disc 98. The parts just named beginning with rod 90 constitute a retraction means as respects the hooked or bent arm 46 or the flexible member in general 40.

Rod 95 may be disposedin `a guide tube 99 preferably of insulating material. The electro-magnetic means may comprise coil 100 wound on tubular member 101 and disposed within 'a housing 102. The housing 102 is provided with end members 103 and 104. The end member 104 is preferably of soft iron. A disc-shaped armature member 105 kis positioned adjacent the end member 104 and mounted on a pivot 106. Suitable electric circuit wires 107 are connected with the winding 100 to supply alternating current thereto. Armature 105 is connected with a link member 108 on its side opposite pin 106. Link 108 extends through a suitable opening in frame piece 109 and has its other end connected by pivot 111 with a disc 110. Framepiece 109 also serves as support for one end portion of guide tube 99. The disc 110 is mounted on shaft 93 and is connected by a link 112 with a yoke 113. Thevyoke 113 is pivotally connected by pivot 114 with a tubular housing member 115. The tubularV housing member 1-15 has an enlarged end portion 116 which is secured to a cylindrical housing 117. The tube 115 may be disposed at an angle which may approach a right angle, relative to the housing 117. This angular form of the housings 115 and 117 provides not only a housing for the parts but also a convenient handle whereby the device may be applied by the patient.

'I'he housing 117 encloses the electro-magnetic means and parts intermediate between the said electro-magnet and the discs 92 and 110.

The tension spring 118 disposed around link 108 has one end portion connected with the armature and the other end portion connected with the frame member 109. Thus tension spring 118 exerts a resilient force tending to pull the armature 105 away from the end member '104. Another tension spring 119 is disposed on the opposite side of frame member 109 and has one end portion connected with frame member 109 and the other end portion connected with the link 108 so that it works in opposition to the spring 118 and limits the movement of arma-ture 105 away from the end 104 of the electro-magnet 110.

The operation of these parts -is as follows: The parts that have just been described above constitute the vibratory means, the mode of operation of which is as follows: The electromagnet is energized by an alternating current, and as the current reverses its direction and alternately pulls armature F105 against the tension of spring 118 it thereby causes disc 110 to oscillate about its shaft 93Y and thereby imparts a reciprocating movement of link 112. This movement swings yoke 113 which raises and lowers rod 90 with respect to the longitudinal axis of tubular housing thereby imparting a vibratory movement to said rod 90 which is directly communicated to the bent or hooked arm 46 which .in turn is connected to the head 43.

By applying the iingers to hand grip 120 and closing the ngers, the disc 98 presses against the palm of the hand and presses inwardly causing disc 92 to revolve clock-wise as shown in Fig. 10 and thereby retracts rod 90 which pulls back on arm 46 thereby causing the exible member 40 to assume a semi-circular position or form.

The application of the flexible member to the prostate gland from this point on is the same as in the preferred form shown in Fig. 7.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 12 to 16 inclusive, a motor power is derived from interconnected multiple springs and the `description of the modified formy is as follows:

The preferred form of the iiexible member 40 has its bent arm 46 pivotally connected to rod 130 which in turn is connected to offset end portion 131 of a rack bar 132. Another rack bar 133 positioned opposite to rack bar 132 has its offset end portion 134 connected with an operating rod 135 which has a disc 136 on its outer end. The two rack bars 132 and 133 mesh with a pinion 137 on a shaft 138 which is carried by a mounting-member 139. The mounting member 139 is rigid with a guide tube 140 Within which the rack bars 132 and 133 are slidingly, reciprocably disposed. Obviously, movement of disc member 136 toward pinion 137 will retract rod 1301 and provide for retraction of hooked arm 46 thus causing the exible member to take the form of a semi-circle. This result follows from the operation of racks 132 and l133 and pinion 137 as hereindescribed above with respect to Fig. 7 having racks 68 and 69 and pinion 74.

Having described said retraction means for the flexible member, the means for providing vibratory movement will now be described. The means for producing vibratory movement is in the form of a spring motor comprising a plurality of interconnected spring member units 141, 142, 143 and 144. The spring unit 141 comprises a cylindrical housing 145 having an end member 146 which terminates in a shank 147. The shank 147 is connected as by screws 148 with an end member 149 which is secured to an external sleeve 150 which is mounted on a housing 151. The end member 149 has a rigid connection with a xed end piece 152 of the housing 151. This rigid connection comprises one or more pawls 153 carried by the end member 149 and engaging ratchet teeth 154 to end piece 152. Each pawl 153 is resiliently pressed toward ratchet teeth 154 by spring means 155. This provides a ratchet connection which allows end member 149 to be rotated in one direction relative to housing 151 for the purpose of winding up the springs in the spring member units 141, 142, 143 and 144 as hereinafter described.

A clock spring type spiral spring 156 is disposed within the housing 145 and has its outer end portion secured to said housing 145, and the other end is secured to a tubular hub 157 of the next adjacent spring unit 142. Hub 157 is concentrically disposed within the spring 156, and -is rotatively mounted on tube 140 (see Fig. 12). The hub 157, see Fig. 16, is connected with a housing member 158 of the next adjacent spring unit 142. Also the hub member 157 is provided with one or more notches 159 which engage with one or more lugs 160 on the inner end portion of spring 156. The outer end portion of spring 156 has one or more lugs 161 which fit into suitable recesses 162 in the housing 145. In this way the outer end portion of spring 156 is secured to housing 145, and the inner end portion of spring 156 is secured to the hub member 157 of the next adjacent spring unit, thereby interconnecting the spring 156 with the spring 163 of unit 142, said spring 163 being of similar construction to spring 156.

The housings of spring units 143 and 144 are similar to the housing 158 shown in Fig. 16 and the spring means 164 and 165 and devices for connecting the springs with the housings are similar. Thus any number of duplicate spring units may be used in the motor depending on the length of the housing 151 and the length of the units. The inner end portion of the spring 165 of spring unit 144 is connected with a concentric hub portion 166 of an internal or ring gear member 167 (see also Fig. 13). The ring gear 167 meshes with a pinion 168 which is integral with a larger gear 169, which is mounted on shaft 170 mounted in end frame member 171. Gear 169 meshes with pinion 172 which is integral with gear 173 the same being mounted on shaft 174 mounted in end frame member 171 as to one end and the other end -of the shaft is mounted in frame member 175. Gear member 173 meshes with pinion 176 which is integral with gear member 177 and is mounted on shaft 178 similarly mounted to that of the gear next preceding. Gear member 177 meshes with pinion 179 which is integral with gear member 180 mounted on shaft 181 similarly mounted to gear 173. Gear member 180 meshes with pinion i182 which is integral with gear member 183 on shaft 184 similarly mounted to that of gear 173. Gear member 183 meshes with a pinion 185 which is secured to a tubular shaft 186. The shaft 186 is journaled in preferably a ball bearing 187 carried by frame member 171.

The above-described chain of gears which are diagrammatically shown in Fig. 13, steps up the speed of the ring gear 167 and provides the desired longer period of operation of the spring motor for a given winding.

To further provide for extended duration of operation and even operation of the spring motor, the following brake mechanism may be provided (see Fig. 14): This brake mechanism comprises a member 188 secured to the tubular shaft 186yso that it will rotate therewith. A friction brake member 189 is pivotally connected by a pivot 190 with the member 188. A spring 191 secured to member 188 yieldingly urges friction brake member 189 into a retracted position relative to a cylindrical housing member 192. Upon rotation of 188 friction brake member 189 will be caused by centrifugal force to move outwardly linto contact with housing member 192 thereby retarding the speed of rotation of tubular shaft 186 and acting as a frictional brake.

The outer end portion of tube member 186 is concentrically journaled in end bearing 193 of tubular housing member 194 which is mounted by ange 195 to housing member 151. Rod 130 is eccentrically mounted in an eccentric bearing 196 of tubular member 186. This bearing 196 is similar in construction to the bearing 77 shown in Figs. 7 and 9. Eccentric weight 197 (see Figs. 12 and 15) `is similar in construction and operation to weight 87 shown in Figs. 7 and 9.

The revolving of tube 186 by the spring motor, as hereinbefore described, manifestly causes a. vibratory movement of rod and this is communicated directly to the hooked arm 46 which is pivotally connected to said rod 130 and which in turn communicates the vibration to the head 43 as well as to the flexible member 40 in general. The operation of the flexible member 40 is substantially like that heretofore described for the other forms of the device.

The modified form of this invention shown in Figs. 17 to 24 inclusive is a spring motor type similar to the previously described devices shown in Figs. 12 to 16 inclusive. The devices of Figs. 17 to 24 comprise a cylindrical housing 220 having one end portion thereof fitted telescopioally over and non-rotatively secured to an annular sleeve 221 which is rigid with an end member 222. The end member 222 has an outwardly protruding, centrally arranged shank or mounting tube 223 rigidly connected therewith. The tube 223 is coaxial with the housing 220. A washer shaped disc 224 is disposed within the annular ange 221. Another tube 224 is coaxially disposed within the housing 220 and is secured to the end member 222 by screws 226. The screws 226 pass through an outwardly directed integral annular flange 227 on the end of the inner tube 225 and through spacer lugs 228 on the ange 227 and through the disc 224 and are threaded into the end member 222. Preferably three of the screws 226 are provided, as shown in Fig. 20, and these screws function to rigidly secure the two tubes 223 and 225 together so that these two tubes and the disc 224 and housing 220 are all rigid relative to each other.

The end of the tube 225 which is shown at the left in Fig. 17 is externally threaded to receive a thread into an internally threaded end member 229. The end member 229 has oppositely directed curved finger hold or gripping pieces 230 at its outer end and the peripheral portion of this end member 229 is preferably provided with at least two perpendicular guide arms 231 which extend alongside of the housing 228 and have widened portions 232 positioned in engagement with the sides of said housing 220. When the end member 229 is tightly threaded onto the tube 225 it becomes a fixed part of the housing.

Disposed within the housing 220 in the space around the tube 225 is a spring motor which is adapted to impart rotation to a tubular shaft 238 in the tube member 223. This spring motor is designed so that after it is cornpletely wound up it will run at a controlled rate for several minutes and provide ample power for vibration purposes during this predetermined period of operation. At the same time this motor is designed so that it can be contained within the housing 220 without requiring this housing 220 to `be of objectionably large diameter. 'T his spring motor comprises a plurality of spring receiving cup members of duplicate construction, each made up of a tubular hub portion 233 rotatively supported on the tubev 225, a radially extending disc portion 234 and a'circumferential tubular ilange portion 235 which fits rotatively within the housing 228: The springl receiving cup member vfarthest `to the'right in Fig. 17 is of modified form in that itf is of' smaller diameter than the'other cup members and has a modified circumferential flange 235 which is internally provided with gear teeth 236 which form an internal ring gear.

The spring receiving cup member shown at the left, Fig. 17, is-also of modified form inthat it has a tubular hub 233 of greater thickness and greater length than the hubs of theother cup members. The flange 235' of the cup member farthest to the right in Fig. 17 extends over the flange 227 and lugs 228 of the'tube 225 and over gear pinions 237. The gear pinions 237I are rotatively mounted on bearing studs 239` which are fixedly secured to the disc 224.l The hub member 233 of thespring receiving cup, shown farthest to the left in' Fig. 17, is rigidly secured by screws 249 to a motor winding disc 241. The circumferential portion of the motor winding disc241 yis exposed between the arms 231 of the end member 229, see Fig. 18, and is preferably scored so that it may be more securely gripped between' the thumb .and fingersv in winding up the motor.

Each spring receiving cup member, except the one farthest to `the right in Fig. 17, has a spiral spring 242 of ilat resilient metal disposed in the space between its circumferenti-al flange 235 and the hub 233 of the next adjacent cup member. The outer end of each spiral spring 242, see Fig. 19, is secured to the flange 235 within which the spring is disposed `and the inner end thereof -is secured to the hub 233 around which said spring extends. Thus each' spring 242 has one end secured to the peripheral flange 235 of one spring receiving cup and the other end secured to `the hub 235 of an adjacent spring receiving cup. This connects the springs 242 in such a manner that they will `all -operate simultaneously in series. The spring 242 is partly broken away in Fig.l 19.

A washer shaped ring 243 is provided on the hub 233 of the spring receiving cup which is shown farthest to the left in Fig. 17, and this ring 243 is in face to face contact with the winding disc 241. This spring 243 is secured to the housing 220, as by a pin 244, and said ring 243 has an annular series of crown type ratchet teeth 245, see Fig.` 22, provided on the face thereof which extend into an annular groove 247 in the winding disc 241. At least one pawl 246, Figs. 17 and 22, is slidably disposed in a suitable recess 247 in the spring winding disc 241 and is urged toward the teeth 245 by a compression spring 248. This pawl 246 clicks over theratchet teeth 245 while the springs 242 are being wound up and prevents these springs 242 from unwinding by preventing reverse rotation of the spring winding member 241.

The tubular shaft 238 is preferably supported for rotation by the disc 224 and by a bushing member 249 which is pressed into or otherwise rigidly secured to the outer end portion of the tube 223. A gear member 250i, Figs. 17 and 20, is rigidly connected with the end portion of the tubular shaft '238 which is shown at the left in Fig. 17 and this gear member 250 meshes with the pinions 237. When the springs 242 are wound up they will exert a torque which will tend to rotate the spring receiving cups 233, 234, 235 and this torque will be transmitted through the internal gear 236 and pinions 237 and gear member 250 to the tubular shaft 238.

Means for locking this tubular shaft-238 and preventing it from being rotated by the spring motor, except when it is released by .the operator, is preferably provided. The shaft locking means herein disclosed comprises crown type teeth 251 on the face of the gear member 250, Figs. 17 and 20, which are adapted to be engaged by pawl' means 252 on the tip of the hook shaped end 253 of a resilient vibrator rod 254. When the rod 254 is in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 17, the tubular shaft 238 will be locked against rotation.

The `hook shaped. end 253 of thevibrator rod 254V is secured as by a rivet255, to a gear rack 256. It will be noticed that the rodV 254 (see Fig. 17) is bent at the hook point 253. This provides the rod 254 with a springlike action in augmenting vibrations as the eccentric mounting of the bearing 268 is caused to revolve about said rod 254. The gear rack 256 is guided for longitudinal movement in a groove 257 in a pinion. supporting means 258, see also Figs. 19 and 23, and meshes with a pinion 259 which is operatively disposed in a slot 260 in member 258. The pinion 259 is mounted for rotation on a bearing member 261. The member 258y lits within the tube 225 and is secured -thereto as by a cross pin 262.

Another gear rack bar 263 is slidably disposed in a second groove 264 in the member 25S and is positioned diametrically opposite to the gear rack bar 256 and meshes with theV pinion '259. The endof the gear rack bar 263 which is shown at the left in Fig. 17 is secured to a head member 265 on the end of a thrust rod 266. The head member 265 isV positioned in the tube 225 and is slidably movable therein. The` thrust rod 266 extends outwardly through the end member 229 and has a knob 267 on its outer end; The thrust rod 2-66 can be pushed inwardly by placing the palm of the hand on the knob 267, engaging two or more lingers over the finger hold members 230 and exerting a squeezing force, to move said knob 267 to a position such as shown by dot and dash lines in Fig. 17.

When the thrust rod 266 and gear rack bar 263 connected therewith are moved to the right, Fig. 17, the other gear rack bar 256 and vibrator rod 254 connected therewith will be moved in the opposite direction by the pinion 259 and this will release the tubular shaft '238 and impart a curvature to a flexible massaging member 270 as hereinafter set forth.

The end portion of the vibrator rod 254 shown at the right in Fig. 17 extends through and is slidably disposed within an eccentrically disposed bearing opening 26S in an end wall 269 of the tubular shaft 238, see Figs. 17 and 2l. Obviously, when the tubular shaft 238 is rotated the portion of the vibrator rod 254 which is supported in the bearing opening 268 will be moved in a circle around the axis of the tubular shaft 238. Some exing will occur in the rod 254 and in the reversely bent curved end portion 253 of the same when the tubular shaft 238 imparts a circular motion to the outer end portion of said rod 254.

A flexible member, designated generally by the numeral 270, constitutes a further modified form of the lexible member and is mounted on the outer end of the -tube 223. This member 270 comprises a resilient helical Wire spring 271 having one end portion fitted over and secured to the bushing 249 and the other end portion secured to an oval shaped hollow terminal or head member 272. The head 272 may be pivotally connected to a link member '274 which is pivotally connected to rod 254. The head 272 has an inwardly directed annular lip or ange 273. A link member 274 is pivotally connected by pivot means 275 with an end portion of the vibrator rod 254 and is disposed within the spring 271. Said link member 274 extends into the head 272 and has a reversely bent portion 276 on its outer end which engages with the inwardly directed lip or flange 273 of said head 272.

Link member 274 is disposed within the spring 271. This provides an olf center connection between the cap 272 and link 274. When a pull for retraction is exerted on the link 274 the off center connection of this link 274 with the cap 272 will cause the spring 271 of the vibrator member 270 to be curved or bent sidewise into a position as shown by dot and `dash lines in Fig. 17. The amount of curvature imparted to the vibrator member 270 will be proportional to the amount of longitudinal movement imparted to the vibrator rod 254.

The spring 271 is of fairly stii resilient wire and this spring 271 will return to a substantially straight position as soon as tension on the vibrator rod 254 and link 274 is released. This spring 271 is under some compression at all times and will always yieldingly urge the longitudinally movable parts 274, 254, 256, 263 and 266 into the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 17. When these parts are in this position the tubular shaft 238 will be locked against rotation and the spring motor can be wound up and will not be released until the user presses inwardly on the knob 267. Preferably a suitable covering 277 of elastic material is provided on the vibrator member 270.

After the massaging member has been properly posi- -tioned for use, the user can simultaneously curve the massaging member 270 sidewise and release the spring motor by pressing the knob 26-7 inwardly.

Rotation of the tubular shaft 238 will move the pivot means 275 in a circle and thus impart vibratory movement to the link 274. If this circular movement of pivot means 275 occurs when the link 274 is approximately in line with the vibrator Wire 254 then the longitudinal vibrations imparted to the link 274 and transmitted to the massaging member 270 will be slight. If such circular movement of the pivot means 275 occurs when the link 274 is positioned at a substantial angle relative to the vibrator wire 254, then more longitudinal vibration will be imparted to the link 274 and a substantial amount of this vibration will be transmitted to the vibrator member 270 and some of this vibration will be in sidewise directions as respects the vibrator member 270.

Speed governor means may be provided to automatically control the speed which will be imparted to the tubular shaft 238 by the spring motor. One speed governor means which may be used for this purpose is shown in Figs. 17 and 24. This speed governor means comprises a collar 278 of U-shaped cross-section secured on the tubular shaft 2.38 and operable in an annular recess 279 in the housing end member 222. A plurality of centrifugally actuated friction brake members 280 are positioned within the U-shaped collar 278 and are connected by pivots 281 with said collar 27S. When the tubular shaft 238 is rotated these brake members 280 will be urged outwardly by centrifugal force into frictional engagement with the circumferential wall of the recess 279 and will retard and tend to prevent too rapid rotation of the tubular shaft 238.

This form of the llexible member will operate to aS- sume an angle with the housing member 223 of substantially 90 degrees. While it does not form as definite a hook as the preferred form of the flexible membe-r 40, nevertheless it will extend over the top of the prostate gland and thereby engage a portion of the posterior surface and also the peripheral portion of the prostate gland so that substantial vibratory movement may be communicated thereby to said gland. The head 272 is not of the preferred form.

The modified form in Fig. 25 illustrates a manually operated form of the device. The flexible member 40 has its hooked arm 46 secured by pivot 300 to rod 301 which is disposed in housing 302 having end frame member 303 which has an opening 304 serving as a guide for rod 301. Rod 301 is connected by pivotal pin 305 to toggle links 306 and 307 which are respectively pivotally connected by pins 308 and 309 to levers 310 and 311. The operation of this modilled form shown in Fig. 12 is as follows:

To cause the flexible member to take the rectilinear position shown `in dot and dash lines, lever arms 310 and 311 are moved outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the device. This causes pivot point 305 to push rod 301 towards the llexible member and causes the hooked arm 46 to be pushed also forwardly and thus tend to straighten out the llexible member 40. Cooperating with such movement of rod 301 is also the spring 42 preferably always exerting an extensive force. In applying the device, the levers 310 and 311 are moved towards each other as shown in full line in Fig. 25, which causes a retraction of rod 301 and causes the flexible member 40 to assume the semi-circular form as shown in full line in Fig. 25. Thereafter a vibratory movement may be imparted to the llexible member by alternately squeezing and releasing arms 310 and 311 whereby they are moved slightly towards and away from each other. The spring 42 has the double function llrst of exerting its extensive force in causing flexible member 40 to assume the rectilinear position shown in dotted line, and second to cause lever arms 310 and 311 to move apart. The modifiexd form of Fig. 25 shows a simple form of the device which may serve while traveling or where the more efficient and more complete operation of the preferred form is not required. Spring 42 has also the function of forming the llexible member.

The mode of operation of our discovery and invention has been set forth hereinabove in connection with the description of the various forms of the device. It is manifest that our invention provides a device of simple construction and operation and yet one which reaches an internally located glandular structure in a manner which renders the device of a new order and which overcomes substantially ailments that have been the source of a great deal of trouble heretofore.

lWhile the invention and discovery has been set forth particularly as applied to the prostate gland, it is to be understood that it is not limited to any such single internally disposed structure, but is applicable to other inter nally disposed glands or structures which may be reached by such a device and which may be beneted by vibratory action so that circulation may be developed in such structure.

Obviously, changes may be made in the forms, dimensions and arrangement of the parts of our invention, without departing from the principle thereof, the above setting forth only preferred forms of embodiment.

What is claimed is:

l. A device of the character described comprising, a mounting housing; a llexible member mounted as to one end portion on said housing and having a head forming the other end portion; a longitudinally bent link member extending through said flexible member and having one end articulatedly vand eccentrically connected to said head; and movement imparting mechanism connected to said bent link.

2. A device of the character described comprising, a mounting housing; 4a hollow flexible member mounted on said housing, said member being formed of rubber of a form-retaining character yet bendable to form a hook with a gradual curve on the inside of the hook contour, having a head forming one end portion thereof; a bent link member having one end articulatedly connected to one side of said head; and movement imparting means connected to said bent link.

3. In a device of the character described, a housing tube; a head; a helical spring, one end portion of which is mounted on said tube, the other end portion of which is mounted on said head; and a bent link member extending through said helical spring and connected to said head eccentric to the axis of said head.

4. In a device of the character described, a housing tube; a head; a helical spring attached to said tube and said head; and a bent link member extending through said helical spring pivotally connected to said head off center of the longitudinal axis of said head.

5. In a device of the character described, a tube having a guide channel in one end portion; a rod slidably mounted in said guide channel; a head; a helical spring mounted on said tube and said head; and a bent link member longitudinally disposed in said helical spring, said member having one end connected to said rod disposed in the guide channel and the other end of said link member eccentrically secured to said head.

6. A device of the character described, comprising a housing; a helical spring mounted on said housing as to one end portion, the end portion remote from said housing being bendable back upon itself in forming a hook; a head disposed on the end portion of said helical spring, said head having that half of its wall nearest the mounting of the spring upon the housing when bent to form a hook, of sharper curvature than the opposite wall; and a link member articulatedly connected to the half of sharper curvature.

7. In a device of the character described, a housing; a mounting member ilexible transversely throughout its length and having one end mounted on said housing; a head mounted on the other end of said ilexible member; an operating rod disposed in said housing; a link having one end pivotally connected to said rod and the other end articulatedly connected to one side of said head; and toggle link means connected to one end of said operating rod.

8. In a device of the character described, a mounting housing; a hollow flexible member mounted on said housing having a head forming one end portion; a bent link member having one end pivotally and eccentrically connected to one side of said head; a retraction means connected to the other end of said link member; a motor means formed of a plurality of interconnected spring unit members; a rotatable tube shaft having an end member with an opening therein through which a portion of said retraction means extends; and gear means connecting said motor means and said tubular shaft.

9. In a device of the character described, a mounting housing; a hollow flexible member mounted on said housing having a head forming one end portion; a bent link member having one end pivotally and eccentrically connected to one side of said head; a retraction means connected to the other end of said link member; a motor means formed of a plurality of interconnected spring unit members; a rotatable shaft having an end member with an opening therein through which a portion of said retraction means extends; gear means connecting said motor means and said tubular shaft; a control means comprising a mounting member xedly mounted on said tubular shaft; and a brake member pivotally connected to said mounting member whereby centrifugal force may force said brake member against said second mentioned housing member, whereby the operation of said spring member may be rendered more uniform.

10. A device of the character described, a mounting housing; a flexible member mounted on said housing having a head forming one end portion; a bent link member having one end articulatedly connected to one side of said head; a rod having one end connected to said bent member and extending through said mounting housing; a second housing mounted on the other end of said mounting housing at a substantial angle in forming a handle for the device; and movement imparting mechanism connected to said bent link.

11. A device of the character described comprising, a mounting means; a flexible member having a head on one end portion and the other end portion mounted on said mounting means, said member being substantially bendable from said head to said mounting means; and a longitudinally bent link eccentrically connected to said head by which construction upon retraction of said link said head is actuated substantially through a semicircular path in forming a hook like member of said flexible member.

12. A device of the character described comprising a mounting housing; a liexible member having one end portion mounted on said housing in joining the two in end to end relation, said member being bendable substantially throughout its length and having a head on the other end portion; a bent link extending through said exible member having a convex and a concave curved edge portions articulatedly and eccentrically connected to said head and by which force is communicated to said head in actuating the same in a substantially curved path in forming a hook member of said llexible member.

13. A device of the character described comprising a housing having a rear and forward end portion; a helical spring having one end portion mounted on said forward end portion in extension of said housing, the end portion remote from said housing being uniformly longitudinally bendable backwardly over and in spaced relation to itself in forming a hook, with a concave and convex wall; a head disposed on said remote end portion, said head having that half of its wall on the concave side of sharper curvature than the opposite wall; a bent link member articulatedly connected to the half of the head having the sharper curvature.

14. A device of the character described comprising a housing; a llexible member having one end portion rigidly mounted on one end portion of said housing in end to end relation and on the opposite end portion a rounded head rigidly mounted thereon; a longitudinally bent link member having one end articulatedly connected to said head; and movement imparting mechanism connected to said bent link.

15. A device of the character described comprising a housing; a bendable member having a head on one end portion and its opposite end portion mounted upon said housing in end to end relation, said member being longitudinally Abendable from said head to said housing; a bent link `articulatedly and eccentrically connected to said head by which construction said head may be actuated in a substantially semi-circular path in forming said bendable member into a hook like form; and actuating means connected to said bent link.

16. The method of massaging an enlarged prostate gland, comprising applying pressure through the rectum to move the rectum walls in the same direction to mechanically pressingly contact the superior axial portion of the prostate gland for transmitting vibrations; and transmitting vibratory movement to such contacted gland portion.

-17. The method of massaging an enlarged prostate gland swollen by the accumulation of glandular products to the extent that the urethra is constricted, comprisng applying pressure through the rectum to move the walls of the rectum in the same direction anteriorly and to mechanically vibration transmittingly contact the urethra at the point of passage of the urethra through the prostate gland; pressing the urethra slightly to one side; and applying vibrations to said gland at such contacted portion.

18. The method of massaging an enlarged prostate gland, comprising applying pressure through the rectum to move the walls of the rectum in the same direction anteriorly to mechanically contact and simultaneously press the superior axial and the posterior portions of the prostate gland for transmitting vibrations, thereby magnifying the effect of the vibrations by extending same to the area about the gland; and transmitting vibratory movement to said contacted portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 686,578 Bowersox Nov. 12, 1901 901,376 Roberts Oct. 20, 1908 2,342,557 Ross et al. Feb. 22, 1944 OTHER REFERENCES Grays Anatomy, Howdon, part V from 18th English csligion, 1913, pages 1236, 1237, 1241. (Copy in Div.

Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics, vol. 38, 1924, pages 16, 21; vol. 49, 1929, pages 481, 670, 671. 

